Separatists postpone ‘Lal Chowk March’ in view of Gurpurab

Srinagar, Nov 12 : Following appeal by the Sikh community to postpone the ‘march’ to historic Lal Chowk on November 14 in view of Guru Nanak’s birthday, both the
factions of Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) have deferred the ‘programme’.
The decision by separatists comes two days after all-Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) urged them to withdraw the ‘Lal Chowk Challo’ call on November 14 in
view of Guru Nanak’s birthday.
Both the factions of the HC and JKLF, spearheading the agitation since July 9, a day after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other
militants in an encounter at Anantnag, had urged people to march towards Lal Chowk on November 14, when Class 10th examinations will commence in the Valley.
“We believe in the golden ethos of religious freedom and tranquility. Age old strong social and communal fabric stands testimony to our rich and glorious past. So in
response to the request of the Sikh community, we have decided to postpone the ‘Lal Chowk Challo’ programme on November 14,” a joint statement of HC and JKLF said.
However, the separatists said that on November 14 only “Lal Chowk Challo” programme has been postponed rest of the day’s activities remain ‘unchanged’. Congratulating
the minority community, they said that like Sikhs, Pundits, Buddhists, Christians, all other sects are inseparable entity of the society and ‘we respect and honour
everybody’s sentiments’. They said that they don’t believe in alleged hypocrisy and dualism ‘like the State Government’, which closes Mosques here but participate in
the religious activities of others, proving the intimacy and familiarity to their coalition partners. “Once again strongly criticising the Jamia Masjid lockdown and
preventing people from offering Friday prayers since July 9 in the mosque,” the separatists alleged that the Government has curtailed and curbed not only the
political, social and individual freedom of the people, but their religious liberties were also denied. Courtesy: UNI